Chapter 0240

ANASTASIA

My strides were longer and faster as I made my way to his apartment.

There was a reasonable part of me that was convinced that those pictures weren't photoshopped. And there was also the part, slightly smaller, that believed - or rather, wanted to believe - that it was all a lie. A stupid dumb prank.

Aiden just would never do that to me. He was not the type of man who would jump onto the next woman he sees the moment I am out of the country. It just was not possible.

I made my way through the open gate. As I stopped before the door, I noticed that my breaths were ragged and the palms that I wounded around my bags were sweaty.

I put the bags aside and wiped my palms on my jeans then I took a deep calming breath.

I knocked but there was no response. I slowly wrapped my fingers around the door knob and pushed. Immediately, it gave and the door creaked open. As I stepped in and closed the door before me, I frowned at the messy state the living room was in.

I made to call out to him as I made my way to his bedroom when I caught sight of sharp red in my peripheral vision.

I turned toward the chair by the kitchen to see not only a woman's shoes but a dress and… I felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. By the doorway of the kitchen was a bra and a few feet from that was a thong. It was then I saw the belts and other pieces of clothings that trailed the path that led to his bedroom.

My vision swayed and I gripped the chair to keep myself steady. What the freaking hell did I just see?

So the pictures were real? They were not photoshopped? Aiden really did those things he did in those pictures to another woman.

My heart constricted in my chest and I let out a choked sob. The disarrayed room now made more sense.

I wondered what they had done to have turned the living room into the mess that it was but the picture I managed to conjure up only made me feel utter disgust toward the man I loved with all my heart.

I gripped my chest, more drops of tears dropping on the cushioned chair I held on it. If anyone had told me that Aiden would ever betray me in this manner, or betray me at all, I would have made a bet that he would never and even lay down my life.

I looked around the room, at all the evidences and telltales of his betrayal.

Memories of when I first saw him suddenly filled my head. It felt just like yesterday. I had been a freshman, lost in the big surroundings of the school. The map did nothing to help. I remembered losing my way in the hall that was crowded with probably all the students the college had. It was chaos as every one of them seemed to be rushing to class. No one had the patience to direct anyone so I stepped aside where I was sure I would not get trampled on by the rush and stared intently at the map, determined to locate my class even though I was already late.

And then this gorgeous young man sidled up next to me. He pointed at the map in my hands, "That never helps."

I sighed and dropped my hands by my side. "I suspected that."

He chuckled and I wanted to record that sound and listen to it all day.

He helped me find my way and as he showed me around, my eyes had ample time to explore his stunning face and physique.

The connection was instant. From that day, we became friends. With both of us heavily attracted to each other, it did not take long for a relationship to kick in. A beautiful relationship that I believed would lead to my forever. The man I strongly believed I'd walk up the aisle to meet and share my sincerest vows.

My sadness suddenly morphed into anger. How dare he! After all the promises. How dare he do this to me?

Wiping the hot tears that would not stop pouring out of my eyes, I stormed out of his apartment.

I poured out my anger on my boxes as I roughly dragged them behind me.

At the gate, Jack stepped in.

There was a full blown smile on his face and he had the guts to try to embrace me.

"Babe!"

His smile faltered when I stepped back but he still attempted to hug me. Without thinking, my palm connected with his cheeks. "I never want to see your face again!"

"Are you crying?" He frowned, his brows creased in worry. "What's wrong? Did I do something?"

He tried to reach for me but I stepped aside, feeling more irritated and angered. He must take me for a fool.

"It's over, Aiden. We're done," my voice trembled but it was firm enough to get through to his head that I meant my words.

"What the hell, Ana! What do you mean we are done?"

"Have a nice life," I told him and walked past him, efficiently dragging my boxes behind me.

"Ana! Anastasia!"

I don't even turn back to look at him once…and I never would!